Briefs

The Industrial Index stood at 98.5 points last month, the lowest level this year and down from 98.7 in July, largely on the concerns of business operators about the declining global economy.
The survey by the Federation of Thai Industries was conducted on 1,099 operators across 42 sectors.
FTI vice chairman Suparat Sirisuwannangkura said companies were worried after many state authorities had lowered their growth forecasts for Thai gross domestic product after a downturn in the global economy.
However, domestic consumption is expected to expand during the second half of the year.
By region, the index for operators in the Northeast dipped to 96.7 points last month from 106 in July, because of a spike in business costs and drought concerns, while that for the East dropped to 103.6 from 105.5 in July on worries over the impact of the euro-zone crisis on Thai exports.
The index for the South dropped to 93.5 points from 94.6 in July because of a shortage of raw materials for producing processed seafood.
Suparat said the confidence of exporters in August had inched down to 91.8 points from 93 in the previous month.
The three-month-forecast index was 105.7, up from 104.8 in July on an expected improvement in orders and better financial performance, he added.
 
Momentive building factory in Chon Buri
US-based Momentive Specialty Chemicals this week announced plans to build a plant in Chon Buri, which will increase its capacity to produce acrylic-based resins and service customers in Southeast Asia.
The new plant significantly expands Momentive’s production of acrylic-based resins in the region by tripling its capacity.
The site, which is on land purchased by Momentive in the Pinthong Industrial Estate, will produce a broad range of acrylic resins designed for use primarily in coatings, adhesives, and building and construction applications.
In addition to production facilities, the site will include product development and applications laboratories, as well as technical service and application support capabilities for customers.
“This new plant reinforces our commitment to our valued customers in the region and is the next step in our global growth strategy,” said Julia Harp, senior vice president of the company.
Construction of the plant is under way and completion and commissioning is expected to occur in the first half of next year. When fully operational, it is expected to employ 30 people.
Momentive’s existing, smaller plant in Samut Sakhon, which is a leased property, will be closed upon completion of the new facility.
The company will continue to maintain its sales and administrative offices in Bangkok. – The Nation